Web pioneer Netscape today unveiled the latest version of its famous internet browser, claiming its new software represents a "major advance in browsing".

Netscape 6 is the first big upgrade in almost two years for the program which was once the first choice web browser for 90% of internet users. That was before the "browser wars" between Netscape and Microsoft in the late 1990s in which Netscape was beaten into a distant second place. Microsoft's Internet Explorer now has 70% of the browser market.

The new product takes on added significance after this week's ruling in the US that Microsoft was guilty of abusing its monopoly power to crush Netscape, which it once regarded as a major threat to its business. Netscape is now owned by America Online (AOL).

Despite the Microsoft ruling, there is some scepticism about the impact Netscape 6 will have. As the software is free the company will not make any direct financial gain by signing up users. One analyst observed that users "don't care" which browser they use, while another added: "It¹s not really a contest any more. The browser wars are over."

Netscape has seen this scepticism brewing and knew that it would have to offer good reasons to entice new users to go through the rigmarole of downloading, installing and learning a new browser.

The initial reaction to the new program, introduced to Britain in London today, suggests they may have managed that. Netscape 6 is a complete rewrite of the browser which helped spark the internet revolution. It has a number of new features and runs noticeably faster, but still manages to be around half the size of its bulky predecessor.

It also boasts impeccable geek credentials: the new software is the result of the protracted Mozilla open-source project, a voluntary network of independent programmers who came together to keep Netscape browser development alive while the company struggled against Microsoft's onslaught.

Given Netscape's scrapes with Microsoft, it should be no surprise that the new software is designed to be more independent of the software giant's Windows operating system. The new software is available immediately to run on Windows, Macintosh and Linux computers.

AOL has also put Netscape 6 at the centre of its AOL Anywhere plans, which aim to let users use AOL and the web not just on home computers but on televisions, mobile phones and handheld computers.

Once again, that brings Netscape into direct competition with Microsoft, which is developing its own mobile browser in conjunction with mobile phone company Ericsson.

By 2005 there will be more mobile internet browsers than people surfing via their desktop PC, which suggests that, even if the desktop browser war is over, there's plenty left to fight for in the mobile market.

"The Netscape magic is back," claimed AOL chief executive Steve Case. And it could be about to ignite the browser wars all over again.

New features in Netscape 6  My Sidebar: a second window, to the left of the screen, which can be customised to carry constantly updated information such as news, share prices, sports results and auction news. eBay.co.uk and Lastminute.com are already offering a Sidebar service.

 Faster surfing: certain types of page, especially complex pages made up using tables, now appear much more quickly.

 Integrated AOL Instant Messenger and an "intelligent" email module which collects and files the names and email addresses of everyone who emails you.